Please explain to me how I'm going to set up Plex and cast directly when my films reside on my external hard drive? I have no need to have my collection at my fingertips. I tend to watch DVR'd content first and then will look to my collection when it's empty. Or I will also look to my collection when I travel.
So you know I don't want to set up a system where my collection is available to me easily. I have no need for that. Yet you keep on insisting that I can use Plex without explaining how I'm going to access my collection to begin with.
Let's also make something crystal clear. Dragging a movie from my external onto my MBA takes less than a minute. So why are you making it such a huge deal???? I drag the file onto my MBA, cast or AirPlay, then delete the file. It's such a dead simple and quick process yet you keep writing it out like it's this complicated and time consuming venture.
So while I understand you suggestion I also think you need to chill the F out. Suggest something but don't go overboard which you absolutely are. Relax.
I'm not going to go the cheaper route. I don't care if it costs me more. Chromecast or a used Apple TV is not a pricey purchase for me.
I did suggest something calmly. You were the one who called me mentally ill. I'm supposed to just take that lying down? And you're the one telling me to relax? That's a bit funny.
My entire Plex TV collection is on an external hard drive. What you're asking for is "How do I set up Plex?" Well, it's simple. I install Plex. I start Plex. I tell Plex what directories to look in for media. I create a free account. That last bit is optional. Now it's all available to me, anywhere I have an Internet connection.
I also don't see how dead-simple a thing can be when you're needlessly adding steps. It's the opposite of the definition of dead-simple. You're literally doing in three steps what I do in one.
Create a poll or something. Is copying a file, casting the copy, and then deleting the copy dead simple, or is casting the file dead simple?
But again, do what you want. I'm not the boss of you.